title: Effects of a reduced time-out interval on compliance with the time-out instruction.
abstract: Time-out is a negative punishment procedure that parents and teachers commonly use to reduce problem behavior; however, specific time-out parameters have not been evaluated adequately. One parameter that has received relatively little attention in the literature is the mode of administration (verbal or physical) of time-out. In this study, we evaluated a procedure designed to reduce problem behavior and increase compliance with the verbal instruction to go to time-out. Specifically, we reduced the time-out interval contingent on compliance with the time-out instruction. Six preschool-aged boys participated in the study. Time-out effectively reduced the problem behavior of all 6 participants, and the procedure to increase compliance with the time-out instruction was effective for 4 of 6 participants.
authors.affiliation: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA.
authors.forename: Jeanne M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Donaldson
authors.forename: Timothy R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Vollmer
authors.forename: Theresa M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Yakich
authors.forename: Carole
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Van Camp
mesh_terms: D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003216:Conditioning, Operant; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015588:Observer Variation; D011678:Punishment / Q000523:psychology*; D012920:Social Behavior Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: compliance; punishment; time-out